Matt joined Couples Bates Golf Design in December 1991 as an associate designer. From 1992 to 1995, he supervised construction of several golf course projects in Kansas, Ohio , Kentucky and Georgia . In May, 1995 Matt returned to the main office where he serves as Senior Golf Course Architect. Matt has designed over twenty courses in the United States , Singapore, Africa, Canada , Egypt and Japan . As the Senior Designer with the Couples Bates team Matt is responsible for design coordination, strategy development, plan and bid document production, technical specification preparation and review, and contract review. With his background in art and construction, Matt is able to artistically represent an example of the finished golf course to owners and contractors prior to any work being done on the golf course site.

Matt studied art for three years at Tennessee Temple University in Chattanooga prior to transferring to Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana . He received his Bachelor of Landscape Architecture degree in 1991.
As the Senior Designer with the Bates Golf Design Group team Matt is responsible for assisting Fred, Gene and Johnny with development of base information, routings, strategy and design. Matt will visit the site to become thoroughly familiar with the site-specific issues of the project in order to assist in the development of the golf course plans. Matt will take the lead in the development of the plan documents for the team, assist with bid documents, bid review, and share construction visit responsibilities.